Opinion: Odinga never got to Canaan

Today it’s final and there seems to no other way. Every option has been exhausted and the Supreme Court Ruling over the 9^th August Presidential Election is settled. The declaration of 15^th August 2022 is now the law of the land. This means the loser with the smallest possible margin Raila Odinga didn’t reach in 2022.

Raila Odinga has tried since 1997 to get into the Presidency. Odinga has fought and tried, and never ever given up. No one would have faulted him or been disregarding him in any way. Odinga has fought and justifiably so. In 2017 I felt it was unfair and the second term for Jubilee seemed forced. The Fresh Presidential Elections wasn’t making things any better and now we are here 5 years later; and the Azimio couldn’t deliver or get him there.

Odinga has wanted to go Canaan and the promised land for so long. That has been clear. His only gotten into power or in close association with influence by making handshakes. Either that was Mwai Kibaki or with Uhuru Kenyatta. He himself didn’t get elected or get the majority to settle in. Even if that seemed believable in 2017. However, now? Well, it doesn’t seem so and if it did. There would be more worrying aspects or reports coming out from all corners of the Republic.

The tiredness of the Odinga might have come this time around. It might have been fatigue or even the whole machinery thought it was covered. That’s why it didn’t get across the finish-line in time. Odinga could seem arrogant and ready. It was his “turn” and he was the next in line. Still, the man didn’t get there and now it’s all gone.

Some says Baba the Fifth is the President that Kenya never had. That is true. This is not for the lack of trying. He has sought for it for decades. Built coalitions and parties that others has built their careers around. The Orange Democratic Movement, CORD, NASA and Azimio will be things associated with him. That’s for his role in this structures, movements and coalitions.

If Odinga banked on the Jubilee and Kenyatta’s popularity. Well, that didn’t serve him well. That sort of gamble was not giving him way. No, that has backfired and is evident not being the case. Odinga was close, but it didn’t take him there. That was the whole point of it all.

I’m not writing these things to dismiss or discredit Odinga. Odinga has fought the good fight and been a reformist with a presidential ambition. That final goal was something he never achieved. Odinga fought a lot of other battles and has built a legacy around his name. While that being said, he didn’t overcome the obstacles and found the platform to get ahead. If he had… he would have compete in the Fresh Presidential Elections and would have done it now.

Now we know that both of these is water under the bridge. Odinga will never see the Presidency and be a President. He is a man who was close and who built teams to get there. While these teams and these politicians wasn’t enough. This time it should have been so. Ruto wasn’t that popular and such a beloved character. However, he was still able to play the game and win.

That’s why Azimio have to look into themselves and how they spoiled the race. This should have been in the bank. Was it running on a “third” term of Kenyatta that was spoiling it? I don’t know… but Ruto will be sort of that too. However, he was able to do it and it shocked some people to the core. Now the Supreme Court verdict is out and there is no way back.

There will be people who are lost, feels betrayed and are in a state of mourning. They should be respected and honoured. These people invested into a man and his campaign. These people stood tall and believed in the causes of Odinga. Nevertheless, it was never his time and it’s evident today…

Odinga is the President, Kenya never had and never will have it seems. Raila Odinga, Baba the Fifth was only a dream and it turned into a nightmare. Odinga will be written about and be well respected long after life. He has stood in the test of time. Baba has fought and been on the frontline for rights, justice and liberties. That shall be remembered, but he will also be remembered for never winning and getting into promise land.

He never got to Canaan. He went through the desert and walked in circles, but the Lord Almighty never allowed him to cross River Jordan into the Promised Land. Peace.

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Opinion: Mwanzo Mpya Caucus throws a curveball Azimio La Umoja way

Yesterday, the Mwanzo Mpya Caucus lead by Governor Alfred Mutua presented a harsh statement and a press conference with several other parties. The parties involved in this caucus are MCC, Muungano, Kenya Reform Party, CCU, DAP-K, PPT, NARC and Maendeleo Democratic Party. These are reacting to how the Azimio La Umoja – One Kenya Alliance is moving forward as a unit.

It is clear that the big three – Orange Democratic Movement, Jubilee and Wiper Democratic Movement are getting much more out of it than the rest. This is why Mutua and other party leaders are addressing it. Showing that the coordination within Azimio la Umoja isn’t that good.

The 11 points in the Press Release from Yesterday is interesting to say the least:

“1. We are the ones who made Azimio what it is.

2. We found out of the AZIMIO LA UMOJA – ONE KENYA coalition in the news like the rest of Kenyans.

3. There is an indication the leadership of Azimio is made up of three parties only: Jubilee, ODM & Wiper. This leaves out the other founding parties.

4. Coalitions agreement documents have not been shown to us and yet they are insisting that we should sign. We will not agree to this.

5. Our candidates have already registered their candidature with our parties and they have an equal right to be in the ballot.

6. There is an attempt to run nominations through zoning. Our candidates are already prepared to compete and zoning has no place in the current arrangement.

7. We also have our own caucus. The Mwanzo mpya caucus, which is the fourth leg of the Azimio stool.

8. There are currently no provisions for us to be on the elections board. We insist to be also included and to have a voice since we represent a significant voting bloc.

9. The so called big parties have already appointed themselves portfolios at our expense.

10. We can form our own coalition and enter into a post-election agreement.

11. Some of us sacrificed our presidential ambitions to support Azimio and our Azimio presidential candidate” (Mwanzo Mpya Caucus, 06.04.2022).

The parties are saying they are why Azimio is a thing in the first place and that trio of ODM, Jubilee and WDM is taking over with no justification towards the other parties. They are not put into consideration and not even on the ballot. That shows that the possible secretariat of this coalition is one-sided and not voicing for the smaller parties, which should have their say as well. Not only the big-ones and the ones who has more influence.

In consideration too… we should know that in this new Caucus Marta Karua (NARC-Kenya) is part of as well. Just like NARC was a part of One Kenya Alliance. Surely, this can be seen as a bargain chip to get into a better to position. Which shouldn’t be denied by anyone here. We know everyone wants as much leverage and position themselves as best as possible. Just so they can get a more power and better political capital after the up-coming elections. That’s why these parties come out now. Because, they have to find a way to get importance… before they are forgotten about and becomes small local parties with little to none national influence.

The Mwanzo Mpya Caucus will only add pressure to ensure they have options. That they are in the picture and is getting their slice of the pie. They want to have the UNGA and they wants loads of it. However, the trio of parties should be aware, that they have to coordinate properly and ensure mechanisms that seems fair for candidacies. Because, this is all built on trust and agreements between everyone in the coalition. These sorts of pressers and public displays only shows that the coalition is built on shaky grounds… and could easily fall or become marginalized.

Yes, the ODM and Jubilee can feel invisible, as they just got One Kenya Alliance under their banner as well. Nevertheless, Kalonzo Musyoka isn’t the only man who wants to eat, but the others wants that as well. This is what’s so striking with NARC-Kenya joining this Caucus yesterday. That just show quickly Karua is moving and trying to become more relevant.

Odinga, Kenyatta and Kalonzo needs to reconfigure. We know they are dealing with egos and wishes of smaller parties. However, they need to put them into play. If not… they are just hoodwinking everyone and they will tarnish this coalition before it’s even beginning. That will make the Azimio la Umoja coalition look foolish and the Presidential Candidate doesn’t want that. He wants peace within own ranks and show the Republic that he can unite people. If he cannot unite his own coalition. How can he unite… the whole republic then?

That’s just a question, but these are supposed allies and should be treated that way. Peace.

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